Machine for removing wax from plates



y 16, 1929- ,A. R/KOEHLER MACHINE FOR REMOVING WAX FROM'PLATES- 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Janfi 20, 1926 IIIILHIll l July 16, 1929. A. R. KOEHLER MACHINE FOR REMOVING WAX FROM PLATES Filed Jan. 20, 1926' 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 16, 1929. A. R. KOEHL-ER MACHINE FOR REMOVING WAX FROM PLATES Filed Jan. 20, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 16, I929. A. R. KOEHLER'; 1.721324 MACHINE FOR REMOVING WAX FROM PLATES Filed Jan. 20. 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet- 4 Patented July 16, 1929.

nnirna srrs ANDREW 3. KOEHLER, or BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

MACHINE FOR REMOVING WAX FROM PLATES.

Applicationfiled January 20, 1926. Serial No. 82,526.

. cases after which these plates and the wax may be used over again for making further. clectrotype matrices therefrom. This method is not only slow and laborius but it also is diflicult to thoroughly clean the 1 plates or cases thereby rendering it possible to produce imperfect electrotypes on such plates. i

It is the object of this invention to provide a machine whereby the wax may be removed from such plates efliciently and expeditiously and at a minimum cost and not only leave the plates in a perfectly clean condition so that they are ready for immediate use but also enable an electro-plating plant to operate without necessitating the employment of an undue number of plates or cases as has heretofore been necessary by reason of the delay in removing the wax from the plates or-cases and getting them ready for new impressions. it-h this object in view this invent-ion consists generally of the instrumentalities which are shown in the accompanying drawings and which are constructed and operated in the manner as will presently" appear.

In the accompanying drawings 1-. v Figure 1, is aside elevation of the machine for removing-wax from plates or cases in accordance witlrmy invention. Figure 2, is a vertical longitudinal section of the same taken on line 2-2, Fig. 1.

Figure 3, is a top plan-view of the machine. Figure 4. is a front elevation of the same. Figure 5. is a. vertical. cross section taken on the correspondingly numbered line in 0 Fig 1.

Figure 6, is a fragmentary horizontal section on an enlarged scale taken on line 6-6, Fig. l. r v

Figures 7 and 8 are fragmentary, longitudinal sections on an enlarged scale taken on the correspondingly numbered lines in Fig. 3. Figure 9, is a fragmentarytop plan view of a. portion'of the feed table over which the wax-coated plates are adapted to be'mov'ed during the operation of removing the wax therefrom.

, Figure 10, is a vertical section taken on line 10-10'Figure 9. I r v Y Figure 11, is aperspective view of the links of a chain forming part of the carrier or conveyer whereby the wax-coated plates or cases are propelled through the machine.

Figure 12, is a fragmentary-side elevation of the rear part of the machine showin the mechanism for lowering the plate stac ring or receiving table, and adjacent parts. i

F igure 13, is a similar view showing more particularly part of the mechanism whereby I each plate is shifted from the main conveyer to the stacking table. I I Similar characters of reference indicate like parts throughouttheseveral views.

In its general organization-this machine comprises means for propelling the waX- coated plates or cases, means for heating the plates while passing through themachine and melting the wax which has been previous ly deposited thereon, means for scraping from the plates any remnant-s which may be left thereon after being subjected to the heating, operation, means for pressing the plates so as to straighten them and leave them in condition ready to be used over again, means for discharging the plates successively from-the wax removing mechanism, and means for is arranged a s5 7 stacking the clean plates in a pile readyfor v horizontal table 23 which extends nearly the full length of the machineand above this table is arranged a horizontal cover 24 which extends only over the central part of the table thereby forming between thistable and the cover a horizontal longitudinal passage through which the wax-covered plates. 25 are moved lengthwise of the machine. When starting the wax-covered plate through the machine the operator places the same with its uncoated under side uponthe rear part of the table 23 which extends rearwardly beyond same.

the rear end ofthe cover 24 so that the wax coating 26 on the upper side of the plate is exposed. After the wax cutting plate isthus placed upon the rear or receiving end of the table the same is carried forwardly over the table and through the space between the same and the cover 24 and subjected to the devices which operate to remove the wax from the upper side of the plate and also operate to straighten the plate if the same should be come warped or bent while manipulating the Various means may be provided for thus propelling or conveying the same over the table, the conveying means for this purpose shown in the drawings being preferably constructed as follows The numerals 27, 27 represent two con veyer belts arranged side by side and preferably constructed in the form of link chains each of which passespforwardly with its upper operative stretch through. a longitudinal groove 28 in the top of the table while its lower operative stretch passes backwardly underneath the table and its rear or receivlng turn passes around a sprocket wheel 29 at the rear end of the table and its front or delivery turn passes around a front sprocket wheel 30 adjacent to the front end of the table. The receiving sprocketwheels 29 of both conveyer chains are mounted on a transverse shaft 31 which is journaled in suitable hearings on the bed of the frame and the delivery sprocket Wheels 30 of both of these chains are mounted on a delivery shaft 32 which is j ournaled horizontally and transversely in suitable bearin on the adjacent part. of the bed. Power for driving this belt may be derived from any suitable source and transmitted to the conveyer chains or belts in various ways, those shown in the drawings being merelyfan ex ample of one suitable fo'r'this purpose and as there shown, this power source consists of an electric motor 33 mounted on the front standard 21, an intermediate shaft 34 j ournaled in a bearing 35 on the front standard 21', a lower chain belt 36 passing around a sprocket pinion 37 on, the shaft of the motor and a sprocket wheel 38 on the intermediate shaft, and an upper chain belt 39' passing around a sprocket pinion 40 on the intermediate shaft 34 and a sprocket wheel 41 on the front shaft 32 which carries the front conveyer sprocket wheels, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. At suitable intervals the two chains of the conveyer are connected by transverse carrying wings or'flights 42 each of which upon reaching the rear part ofthe table and beginning its forward movement relatively thereto is adapted to engage with the rear edge of a wax-coated plate and move the same forwardly over the table and pass the devices which subsequently operate thereon for removing the wax and straightening the plate.

The movement of this carrier is comparatively slow so as to give the wax removing and plate straightening devices ample time to perform their operations eflectively. I

In order to permit the operator to manipulate the plates more easily while the same are resting on the rear part of the table and bring part of the table and is retained loosely therein by means of a retaining ring'45 surrounding the upper part of the bearing ball above its axis, and secured to the adjacent part of the table by means of screws 46, as shown in Figs. 3, 9 and 10. By this means wax plates of considerable weight can be placed upon the table and adjusted with ease and facility thereon in a position to be engaged by the conveyer andpropelled through the machine so as to expedite the wax removing andplate straightening operations. a

In order to center the wax-coated plates on the table preparatory to moving the same forwardly to the wax removing and plate straightening devices, centering means are provided which preferably consist of two centering arms 47 which are arranged on opposite sides of the path of waxed plates and are pivoted at their rear ends by means of'vertical screws or. pins 48 to the upper side of the table at the rear end thereof while their front ends are yieldingly pressed inwardly so that the two centeri-ngarms converge forwardly and serve to engage opposite longitudinal edges of the waxed plates. The spring means which operate to yieldingly press these centering arms inwardly toward each other are combined with means which also limit the inward movement of these arms toward each other. The preferred form of this pressing and stopping means, as shown in the drawings, comprise two stop rods 49 each of which is connected at its inner end by a vertical pin 501 with the outer side of one of the centering arms while its outer end passes through a guide lug 50 on the adjacent part of the bed and an adjustable stop screw 51 arranged on the outer end of each stop, rod 49 and adapted to engage with the outer side of the respective lug 50, and an expansion spring 52, surrounding the stop rod 49 and bearing at its outer end against the respective lug 50 while its in ner end bears against a shoulder 53 on this stop rod,as best shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

Although various means may be employed for adjusting the table and the cover relatively to each other those shown in the drawings have been found satisfactory and as there shown the same comprise a plurality of vertical adjusting screws 54: each of which is secured at its lower end by a screw joint in a lug 55 on the side portion of the table and is held against turning therein by means of a clamping nut 56 while the upper end of each of these adjusting screws passes through a lug 57' on the adjacent'side portion of the cover and is adj ustably secured thereto by means of upper and lower I clamping screw nuts 58, 59 arrangedon this screw and engaging with the upper and lower sides of the respective lug 57, as best shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 5. Upon loosening the lower adjusting screw nuts 59 and tightening the upper screw nuts 58 the cover 24 is lowered relatively to the table, while upon loosening the upper screw nuts 58 and tightening the lower screw nuts 59 this cover will be raised relatively to the table, whereby the passage way or gap between the table and cover may be regulated in the height as desired orrequired to suit any particular thickness of waxed plate which is being treated in the machine.

The bulk of the wax isremoved from the plates as the same pass over the table and under the cover by applying heat to the waxed plates during this time. The preferred means for thus heating the waxed plates which are shown in the drawings consist inv providing the under side of the table with a heating chest,oven or jacket 60 and also providing the cover 2 1 on its upper side with a heating chest, oven or jacket 61, through which jackets the heating medium of any suitable character may be passed so as to impart the required heating effect to the waxed coated plates which will operate to melt the wax on these plates and cause the same to run off from the plates on to the table and thence flow over the edges of the table to suitable means which receive the same and collect the wax in a condition to be used over again. In the preferred construction of this machine the same is or-' ganized to utilize steam heat as the medium for heating the ovens, chests or ackets of the table and cover. In order to cause this steam to operate most effectively on the table the interior of the heating chest 60 thereof is partitioned by a plurality of baffles 62 into a circuitous passage or conduit which extends from one end of the lower heating chest 60 to the other and steam is admitted through an inlet 63 at one end of this chest, preferably the rear end thereoffand the water of condensation is discharged through an outlet- 64 there- The upper heating chest of the cover 2 1- is similarly provided on its interior with a plurality of baffles 65 which forms a serpentine passagetherein, the front end of which is provided with an inlet 66 for the live steam while therear end thereof is provided with anoutl'et 67 for the escape of the water of=condensation. The steam which is supplied from any suitable source is delivered by a pipe 68i=intothe inlet 63- ofthe lower. I

steam chest 60 andafter-passing through the latter it passes out through the outlet 64 at the front end thereof and is then delivered to the inlet 66 of the upper steam chest 61 and after passing through the latter it escapes through the outlet 67 thereof to a discharge pipe 69. In orderto permit the upper steam chest 61 to be adjusted vertically "together with the cover 24 a flexible piping connection is provided between the lower and upper steam chests which preferably consistof a longitudinal vertically swinging intermediate pipe 70 connected by front and rear hall joints 71, 72-with the outlet of the lower steam chest and the inlet of the upper steam chest, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3; T0 permit of raising and lowering the upper steam chest the discharge pipe 69is made flexible. By this means the two steam chests'can be freely adjusted relatively to each other without distorting the connection of the heating pipes between the same. p w

Immediately in rear of the cover 24 and its heating chest a main or primary scraper 73 is provided which operates to scrape off either all or a part of the remnants of wax which may still adhere to the upper surface of the waxed plate as the same emerges from underneath the top steam chest 61. This main scraper is preferably constructed in the form of a blade which inclines vertically and has its lower scraping edge arranged rear wardly of its upper attached edge, as shown in Fig. 2, so thatthe wax removed from the plate 26 is lifted thereby, and this plate also is arranged obliquely with reference to the forward movement of the plate, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, whereby the wax removed from the plate is gradually worked toward one side of the table in the manner of a plough and discharged over one of the longitudinal edges of the table. This 'main scraper 73 is secured at its upper edge to a transverse bar 7 4 which is mounted at its opposite ends in blocks 75 which are seated in upwardly opening sockets 7 6, 77. These sockets may be supported loo in any suitable manner, for instance the 1 socket 7 6 may be mounted on the front part of the steam chest 61 and the socket 7 7 may be-mounted on the adjacent part of the bed, as best shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

As each plate 25 is discharged from the front end of thetable 23 the same is subjected on'its upper side to another scraping operation whereby any small remnants of wax which may be deposited thereon and removed therefrom are dropped in front of the table to be subsequently disposed of in the manner which will be described further on.

end of the table and mounted at its upper end on a shaft 79 which is journaled at its opposite ends in bearings 80 on the main frame; In its normal upright position this secondary scraping blade bears with its rear side against a stop 81 formed in a standard constituting part of the main frame and this blade is yieldingly held in this position by means of a spring 82 bearing at one end against the front side of the blade 78 while itsopposite end bears against a screw 83 which is mounted on an adjacent bracket forming part of the main frame. As the wax-coated plate is moved forwardly by the .carrier against the auxiliary blade 78 the 2 end of the plate is automatically returned by the springs 7 8 into its normal vertical position in which the same engages with the stop 81 preparatory to engaging with the upper side of the next plate.

Due to handling the plates 25 and also heating the same and subjecting the same to the scraping action for the purpose of removing the wax therefrom these platesare liable to become bent or warped to some extent. In order, therefor, to restore these plates to a flat condition before they leave the machine andthus putthe same in condition for reuse, pressing means are provided which operate upon the plates to flatten and straighten them. The means for thus pressing the plates which are shown in the drawings comprise two large heavy pressing rOllersSt, 85 which are arranged transversely and horizontally over the front part of the table 23 which proj ects beyond the front end of the cover- 24; and

are adapted to project withtheir lower sides into the path of the part of the electrotype plates 25 so that the latter are subjected by these rollers to a downward pressure against the table 23 while the plates are being moved forwardly bythe conveyer thereby removing any wrinkles, waves, bends or other deformation from the plates. before they leave the machine. Each of these pressing rollers is prefera'bly so mounted that the same is capable of yielding vertically and thereby adapt itself automatically to any slight variations which may exist in the thickness of the electrotype plates 25 which are being operated upon. For thispurpose each of the pressing rollers is provided on its opposite ends with trunnions 86 which are journaled in bearings 87 movable vertically in guideways 88 on the adjacent part of the main frame. These bearings are yieldingly held in a depressed posi- 60, 61 of the table and cover.

tion by means of springs 89 each of which engages with its lower end against the upper side of one of the bearings 87 while its upper end bears against the lower end of an adjusting screw 90 mounted on a cross bar .91 forming part of the main frame of the machine, as best shown in Fig. 12. By this means the resilience of the springs 89 together with the jected to pressure for flattening and straightening them they are also heated on the under side by the steam chest ofthe'table 23 and on the upper side by circulating a heating medium through the pressing rollers, thereby facilitating the flattening and straightening operation of these plates. In order to permit of thus circulating a heating medium through these rollers the same are made hollow, as.

shown in Figs. 2 and 6 and each of the trunnions 86 of these rollers 1s also made hollow and steam or other heating medium is conducted. into each of these rollers through the trunnion on one end thereof and the spent or partly spent heating medium is carried off from the respective roller through an outlet in the opposite trunnion thereof. In Fig. 6 a typical form of a rotary pipe connection is shown for admitting the steam at one end of the roller and discharging the same from the opposite end thereof,which pipe connection as there shown, comprises a nipple 92 extending axially through the respective hollow trunnion 86 and a stuffing box 93 which forms a leak-tight joint between this nipple and. the

trunnion of the roller. In the preferred. construction one end of the front pressing roller 85 is connected with the corresponding trunnion 86 of the roller 84 by means of a transfer pipe 95. Of the trunnions at the opposite corresponding ends of the rollers 84, 85, one of them connects with the steam supply pipe 68 by a branch 94c and the other is connected by a branch discharge pipe 96 with the discharge pipe 69 of the upper steam chest.

By means of this construction steam or other heating medium is conducted into the end of one of the pressing rollers and discharged from the opposte end thereof, then this heating medium is admitted into one end of the other pressing roller and discharged from the opposite end thereof, in parallel with the course of the steam which is supplied to the upper and lower heating chests The rotary connection between the heat conducting pipes and the pressing rollers permits the latterto not only rotate freely a' requisite extent but also enables these rollers to rise and fall as 'much as is required for which suflicient playis provided between the bearing s83? and the vertical guides in which the same sllde.

The wax which is removed from the electrotype plates due .to its melted condition flows from the'top of the table 23 downwardly along opposite longitudinal edges thereof into longitudinal curbs or channels 97 wh1ch are arranged on opposite longitudinalsides of the table 23. From thecentral parts of these curbs the melted wax is conducted' downwardly and backwardly by means of spouts 98 to. the under side of the lower steam chest 60'and into the central parts of an upwardly opening pan 99 which is arranged lengthwise on the under side of the steamchest 60 and extends at its front and rear ends beyond the front andrear ends of the lower table 23v and provided at its front and rear ends with up wardly projecting transverse shields 100, 101 forming upright passages 102, between thecorresponding front and rear ends ofthe table and the pan 99. The latter, therefore, catches any wax which may flow either off from the longitudinal edges of the table or from the front and rear edges thereof or which may be removed by either of the scrapers 73 and 7 8 from the electrotype plates. 1 The passages 102 and 103 also form spaces in the bed of the machine which receive the delivery sprocket wheels and the receiving sprocket wheels 29 respectively and those parts of the carrier chains passing arouudthe same. The bottom ofthe pan 99 slopes to the center thereof at which last mentioned point the same is provided with an outlet 104 which communicates with a spout .105 extending downwardly and laterally to a kettle 106 into which the wax is delivered by the spout 105 from the pan 99 preparatory toagain using the wax for cutting elec-trotyping plates.

In orderto remove any solid particles from the wax before itreaches the kettle 106 a screen 107 is arranged in the pan 99 over the outlet 104i thereof, thereby retaining any refuse which may be present in the wax such as small particles of metal which mayhave been scraped from the electrotype plates and ensuring the delivery of only clearwax to the wax kettle 106 for subsequent use. 4

It has been found in practice that the wax will cool and cease to flow over the bottom of the pan 99 and through the'spout105 unless the same is maintained in a heated condition sufficient to keep the wax melted. In order to accomplish this a heating pipe 108 is arranged along the bottom of; the pan 99 and connected at its inlet endby means of-a branch pipe 109 vwiththe outletrpipes 69, '96 ofthe upper steam chest and the rear pressing roller 86, and asimilar pipe 110 is arranged lengthwisejavithin the spout 105 and connected at its upper inlet-end with the outlet of the pipe 108 while its lowerdis'charge end is connected by means of a. pipe 111 with the return side i of the boiler or other source from which the.

steam is supplied. By this means the heating medium in the case of steam is constantly in circulation both through the steam chests, the

pressingrollers, the catch pan 01' basin. 99

andthe delivery spout 105 so that the table and cover areproperly heatedto cause-the wax to be removed from the plates5the pressing rollers to be heated soas' to facilitate flattening or straightening of the electrotype plates and the catch pan 99 and associated parts to be sufliciently heated to ensure a free flow of thewax from the machine to the place of deposit which has been provided for the same.

' Means are provided for automatically ejecting the electrotype plates fromthe machine after the wax has been removed therefrom and also stacking the samein a pile-so that they are conveniently available; and ready for subsequent re-use, these means being constructed as follows is yieldingly held'in its elevated position but 1 is lowered automatically a distance equal to the "thickness of an electrotype plate whenever such a plate is moved forwardly by the propeller or conveyer over the heating table 23 and under thepressing rollers 84, 85, thereby causing the electrotype plates to be stacked or piled successively one upon the other in the samemeasure in which the cleaning of the plates progresses. For this purpose the table 112 is guided in its. verticalmovement by means of guide lugs 113 onopposite longitudinal sides of the table and; sliding in vertical ways 114 formed on the inner sides of the front parts of thestandards21. This table is yieldingly held in its elevated position by means of weights 115 arranged adj acent to the outer sides of the lower parts of Y the standards 21, guide pulleys 116 arranged abovethe standards 21 and lifting linesor cords 117 each passing with its upper turn around one of the pulleys 116 and connected at one end with the stacking table at one side' thereof whilethe oppositeendof this line is connected with one of the weights 115, as

shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 12. }The two guide rollersz116 are secured to opposite'ends of a transverseshaft' 118 which is journaled in bearings 119 at the upper end'ofthfe stand" lards 21. The weights 115 are sufficiently heavy so that they will counterbalance the stacking table 112 and anyelectrotype plates v which maybe resting thereon and tend constantly to hold this table and the plates there- 'on in an elevated position so that force is required to depress the same. This force is supplied by the movement of the electrotype plates forwardly over the table 23 under the action of the horizontal plate conveyer and.

in its preferred form the means whereby this i movement is transmitted from the horizonventingbackward rotation of the shaft 118 or in a direction which would permit the stacking table 112 to rise. The numeral 122 represents two feed pawls each of which engages one of the ratchet wheels 120 and is pivoted at its rear end on the lower end of a rock arm 123. feed pawls 122 are arranged vertically on opposite sides of the bed or frame of the machine-and are secured at their upper ends to a rock shaft 124 which is journaled in bearings 125 arranged between the guideways 88 on the main frame for the bearings of the pressing rollers. Projecting downwardly from the r ock'shaft 12 1 is a tappet 126 having preferably the form of a plate which is adapted to have its lower end arranged in the path of the electrotype plates 23 so that the latter during its forward movement deflects this tappet forwardly and causes the shaft 124 to be rocked in the direction for causing the feed pawls 122 to turn the ratchet wheels 120 one space or to a sufiicient eXtent to lower the stacking table 112 a distance equal to the thicknessof one of the electrotype plates, thereby lowering the table and the plates resting thereon a suflicient distance to provide clearance at the top of the stackfor the electrotype plate which is about to leave the table 23 and to be, deposited on the stacking table. When the tappet 126 clears the rear end of the electrotype plate with which it has been engaged this tappetagain drops into its normal pendant position into the path of the next following electrotype plate, as shown in Fig; 2, ready for producingthe next depressmg operation upon the table under the action of anelectrotype plate which; passes through the machine. j Thisreturn of the tappet 126 to I its normal pendant position. and also the backward motion of the two feed pawls 122 is effected by gravity due to the weight of these parts being sufficient for this purpose but obviously spring means may befemp'loyed The rock arms 123 of both in place of gravity or in addition thereto in an obvious and well known manner. The means whereby the electrotype plates are successively transferred from the front end of the heating table '23 to thestacking table 112 or the plates resting thereon are constructed as follows v The numeral 127 represents a shifting bar or rod arranged horizontally and transversely over the path of the electrotype plates between the front end of the heating table and the rear edge of the stacking table 112 and having a forward and backward reciprocating movement relatively thereto. This motion may be imparted to this shifting bar in any suitable mannerbut preferably by mcanswhich comprise two upright shifting bars 128 arranged in an upright position adjacent to the outer side of the bed or frame of the machine and each having its lower end connected with the main frame by means of a guide link 129 while its upper part is provided with a guide pin 130 moving in a guide slot or way 131 on the adjacent upper part of the mainframe, while the in termediate part of this shifting bar is provided with an upright slot 132 which receives a crank pin 133'which rotates with the adbackward motion of this bar these dogs will yield and trip or slide idly backwardly over the top of the respective electrotype plate which is being fed forwardly by the longitudinal conveyer, but during the last part of the backward stroke of this bar said dogs will be projected into their lowermost or operative condition in rear of the rear edge of the electrotype plate so that during the subsequent forward motion of the shifting bar 127 these dogs will engage the rear edge of the electrotype'plate and move the same forwardly from the, position-where they were left by the wings of the longitudinal conveyer to a position in which this plate will be arranged in its foremost position and in alignment with the pile of plates on the stacking table. For this purpose each of the dogs is provided with an abrupt front side 136 and an inclined rear side 1'37 and its upper part is guided in a screw plug 138 which is secured in the lower end of a socket 139 formed in a bracket 140 which is secured with its upper part to the suppo'rtin or til 'most or depressed position by means of a spring 142 arranged in a socket 133 and hearing at one end against the top of this socket while its lower end bears against the upperend of the dog 135, as best shown in Fig. 8. As the shifting bar 127 moves bacliwardly each of the dogs 135 by engaging its inclined rear side 137 with the electrotype plate which has previously been deposited on the front end of the table 23 by a longitudinal conveyer, will clear this plate. At the end of the rearward motion of the shifting bar 127 each dog 135 will be projected downwardlyby its spring 142 s'othat during the subsequent forward movement of this bar the abrupt front side 136 of each dog will engage the rear edge of the electrotype plate and move the same forwardly until the rear edge of this plate is clear of the bed of the machine and wholly on top of the stacking table, as shown in Fig.2. I

'Whenever'the operator removes some or all of the wax stripped plates from the stacking table 112 the latter is disconnected from its depressing mechanism and permitted to rise as far as necessary by dis ngaging both the feed pawls and the detent pawls from the ratchet wheels 120 whereby the weights 115 are permitted to elevate the stacking table 112. Such disengagement of the detent pawls and feed pawls is preferably effected by providing each of the detent pawls with a handle 143 which maybe grasped by the operator for disengaging this pawl from the ratchet wheel 120 and also providing each of these detent pawls with a rearwardly, projecting lifting arm 144 which engages underneath a lifting pin 145 on the companion feed pawl 122,

so that when each. detent pawl is moved upwardly and forwardly out of engagement from the respective ratchet wheel, theco'mpanion feed pawl 122 will be simultaneously moved'upwardly andrearwardly out of engagement from the ratchet wheel, thereliy facilitating the'release of the stacking table from its depressing mechanism and the restoration of the same to its more or less elevated position.

As a whole this machine is comparatively simple considering the various functions which it performs, the same permits of expeditiously and efficiently removing the wax from electrotype plates so that the same can be kept in service more continuously and thus permit of reducing the number of plates required for this purpose, it also automatically performs the operation of straightening or flattening the plates if the same at any time become bent or misshapen, and the same is also very compact in construction and capable of belng mstalled where only a 11mamachine.

ited amount ofspace is available'for such I claim as my invention:

1. A machine for removing wax from plates, comprising a table adaptedto be'heated, and a conveyor for propelling said plates over said table including anendless belt having an upper stretch movable oversaid table,

a lower stretchmovable under said table, 'w1ngs arranged on said belt and adapted to engage the rear end. of said plates, and wheels which are arranged at opposite ends of said table and around which said belt passes, said table being provided on its upper "do with a longitudinal groovewhich receives the upper stretch of said belt.

2. A machine for removing wax I from plates, comprising a lower table, an upper cover arranged above the table and forming a passage there between, means for heating the table and cover and a conveyor for moving said plates through said passage. I p

3. A machine for removing wvax from plates, comprising acomparatively long table, means for heating the table, a comparatively short cover which is arranged over, the table and terminates at its front and'rear ends short of the corresponding ends of the table, means for heating the cover, and means for moving said plates between said table and coverfrom one end to the other thereof.

4AA machine for removing war: from plate-s," comprising alowe'r-table, an upper cover arranged above the table, means for heatlng said table and cover, means for movin said )lates between said table and cover and means for adjusting said cover relatively to said table. v r

5. A. machine for removing wax "from plates, comprising a lowertabl'e, an upper cover arranged above the table, means for heating said' table and cover, means for moving said plates between said table and cover, and means for adjusting said cover relatively to said table comprising lugs arranged on the corresponding parts of said table and cover, screws passing through corresponding lugs, and screw'nuts arranged on said screws and engagingwith said lugs.

A machine for removing wax from plates. comprising a table, means for heating the table, means for moving said plates over said table, and means for scraping the wax from said plates while the same are heated comprising an inclined blade the lower edge of which is adapted to engage theplates and points toward the approaching plates. 2

7; A machine for removing wax from plates, comprising a table, meainsfor heating the table, means formoving the plates over said table, andmeans for scraping the wax from said plates consisting of'a blade which is adapted to engage its lower edge with the upper side of said plate and which is inclined rearwardly from its upper front edge to its lower rear edge so that its lower edge points toward the approaching plates and which is arranged so that one end of the blade is in advance of the other to the'line ol move ment of the plates, and supports for said blade at opposite ends thereof. 1

8. A machine for removing wax from plates, comprising a table, means for heating the table, means for moving the plates over said table, and means for scraping the wax from said plates consisting of a blade which is adapte'dto engage its lower edge with the upper side of said plate and which is inclined rearwardly from its upper front edge to its lower rear edge so that its lower edge points toward the approaching plates and which is arranged so that. one end of the blade is in advance of the other to the line of movement of the plates, a cover arranged over said table and in rear of said blade, means for heating the cover, and supports for opposite ends of said blade and said table and cover.

f 9. A machine for removing wax from plates, comprising a table, means for heating said table, means for moving said plates over said table, and means for scraping said plates consisting of a blade adapted to engage its lower edge with said plates, means tor pivotally supporting said blade at its upper end, a stop for limiting the rearward movement of said blade, and a spring which holds said blade against said stop. 7

10. In a machine for removing Wax from plates, a table, means for heating said table, means for moving the plates over said table, and means for pressing said plates against said table and flattening and straightening the same.

11. In a machine for removing wax from plates, a table, means for heating the table,

. means for moving the plates over said table,

and means for pressing said plates against said table and flattening and. straightening the same comprising a roller adapted to engage the upper side of said plates.

12. In a machine for removing wax from plates, a table, means for heating the table, means for moving the plates over said table, means for pressing said plates against said table and flattening and straightening the same comprising a roller adapted to engage the upper side of said heating said rollerb 7 plates and means for 13. In a machine for removing wax from plates, a table, means for moving the plates over said table, means for heating said plates while on said table and melting the wax thereon and means for catching themelted wax flowing from said table.

14. In a machine for removing wax from plates, a table, means for moving the plates over said table,'means for heating said plates while on ,said table and melting the wax thereon and means for catching the melted wax flowing from said table comprising curbs arranged along the edges of said table and provided with spouts, a pan arranged belowthe table and receiving the wax from said spout, and a kettle whichreceives the wax from said pan.

15. In a machine for removing-wax from plates, a table, means for moving the plates over said table, means for heating the plates while on the table and melting the wax thereon, conduits for carrying away the melted wax from said table, and means for heating said conduits and maintaining thefwax therein in a flowing condition.

16. In a machine for removing wax from plates, a table, means for movingthe plates over the table, means for heating the plates,

over the table,'meansf.tor heatingthe plates,

and rolling bearings which support the plates deposited on said table consisting ,of' bearing balls mounted on the-undersides in said table, and retaining rings surrounding the upper parts of said balls and secured to sald tables.

18. In a machine tor removmg wax from plates, a table, means for moving the plates over the table, means for heating the plates and means for centering said plates on said table comprising forwardly converging guide arms pivoted at their rear ends on the table, springs for pressing the front ends of said arms inwardly, and means for limiting the inward movement of said arms.

ANDREW R. KOEHLER. 

